Educator Diane Ravitch’s blog is always worth the read. Yesterday she posted a short memorial for a retired educator and principal, Marge Borchert. Mrs. Borchert passed away a very short time after retiring as principal of Allendale Elementary School in upstate New York. Borchert had been highlighted a couple of years before on Ravitch’s “Honor roll.” This blog post over at With A Brooklyn Accent lamented how special she was.
I never met Marge in person. But she had become someone whose insights and wisdom I had come to count on in private messages on Facebook.exchanged literally hundreds of times in the last four years. We could not be more different. She was small town. I was city. She leaned toward the conservative side' I leaned to the left. But when it came to protecting children from the machinations of the arrogant poicy makers who were deforming education policy in this country, whether housed in Washington, Albany or the offices of large foundations we were as one. I revelled in her stories of getting more than 80 percent Opt Out in her school, her love of nature and its incorporation into her school pedagogy, and her standing up to state commissioner Mary Ellen Elia when Elia visited her district.
Over time, she became a moral compass to me whose insights I depended on almost daily.
On Facebook there have been other testimonials as well.
The miracles of FB bring together people who never actually meet but are often kindred souls. I so admired Marge Borchert and her passion for the children. We connected over our CC fight and enjoyed many long conversations. We always meant to really get together, but it never happened. It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to someone who really touched me. Smile down on us from Heaven Marge and help us stay the course.
This was a letter, written by Borchert to her students that Diane Ravitch highlighted, and it says something special about this educator.
Dear Boys & Girls,
I wanted to write you a letter telling you how very much I enjoyed and continue to enjoy all of the painted rocks that you made. They are a great addition to our beautiful garden. I loved looking at each and every one of them this summer. I stopped to admire them when I checked on the flowers that were planted by your parents. Quite honestly, they brought a smile to my face even on rainy days. The rocks are as unique and colorful as each one of you. Each rock is painted with your own unique story.
The butterfly bush that is growing outside of my office window is blooming, and it is the most beautiful shade of purple that I have ever seen. A ruby throated hummingbird has been visiting that bush every day since it bloomed. I am looking forward to seeing a butterfly visit. The baby sparrows in the birdhouse have learned to fly, and have moved away. The crow that was tormenting the baby rabbits seems to have learned not to poke its beak in their home. Several of us watched in astonishment as the mother rabbit chased after that crow, jumped in the air and batted at that crow with its front paw. This was the first time that I have ever seen such a sport! That mother rabbit had strong protective instincts– just like your moms. We can learn so much by observing nature. Who knew that there was so much to !earn by just taking some time to stop, look, and listen.
So…..by now all of you are wondering why I was inspired to write you such a long letter. It is simply for this reason. I want each and every one of you to know that you inspire me on a daily basis. Each and every one of you is unique and colorful in your own special way. Each of you has a special talent, and you are loved. I intend to hold on to these thoughts when I look at the New York State scores, and I encourage your parents to do the same. The scores are not a true picture of who you are in this world. You can and will bloom when you are ready. You will fly when you are ready. It is entirely up to you to decide what you will grow up to be in life. It all depends on you. Remember the mother rabbit who used her own unique talents and skills to “fear that nasty crow nevermore. ”
In my heart — you truly rock!!! I can’t wait to see you in September!!
Love Always,
Mrs. Borchert
P.S. These are the books that I read this summer:
The Diary of Anne Frank
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Recidicide by Kelly Gallagher
The Story Killers by Terrence 0. Moore
David & Goliath by Macolm Gledwell
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Children of the Core by Kris L. Nielsen
The Bible
I know very little about Mrs. Borchert but what I do know is that the world lost a very special person. Her hopes for the children she was charged with educating and growing are the hopes we all have for our children.